Free CPR Training Event Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of CPR

The Richmond Ambulance Authority, Virginia Commonwealth University, the Richmond Technical Center and Health Educators, Inc. are offering free cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes on Monday, June 7 in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of CPR.  This is the first official event of the national CPR Across America movement, a grassroots effort that will sponsor a series of CPR training events in the United States.   The goal of CPR Across America’s 50th Anniversary Challenge is to train 10% of the population in CPR during the next two years.  

“We are pleased the City of Richmond has been chosen to kick off the CPR Across America campaign and help bring attention to the 50th anniversary of this important, lifesaving technique” said Chip Decker, chief executive officer of the Richmond Ambulance Authority.  “CPR is a skill that is quick and easy to learn, and a fast and effective bystander response can often mean the difference between life and death.”   

Anyone in the Richmond area is invited to attend these free, one-hour CPR classes that will be held on Monday, June 7, 2010 at the Richmond Technical Center located at 2020 Westwood Avenue.  Morning classes begin on the hour at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.   The afternoon classes begin at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.   Participants just need to show up.  No advanced registration is required.

“Our goal is to provide quality CPR training to as many people in the Richmond area as possible,” said Wayne Harbour, chief clinical officer of the Richmond Ambulance Authority.  “CPR significantly increases a victim’s chance of survival when provided immediately after cardiac arrest and the more citizens we can train to properly perform CPR, the better.”

Sudden cardiac arrest is most often caused by an abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF).  Cardiac arrest can also occur after the onset of a heart attack or as a result of electrocution or near drowning.

American Heart Association statistics show that about 80 percent of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in private residential settings, so being trained to perform CPR can mean the difference between life and death for a spouse, child or parent.   The data also shows that effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after cardiac arrest, can double a victim’s chance of survival because it helps maintain vital blood flow to the heart and brain and increases the amount of time that an electric shock from a defibrillator can be effective.    Brain death starts to occur four to six minutes after someone experiences cardiac arrest if no CPR and defibrillation occurs during that time.

“Bystander CPR can buy a victim the precious time needed for an ambulance to arrive,” said Decker. “Death from sudden cardiac arrest is not inevitable.  If more people knew CPR, more lives could be saved.”

For more information about these free CPR classes in Richmond, call 804-254-1128.

Following the Richmond kickoff to CPR Across America, mass CPR training programs  will take place in Philadelphia and throughout the Southwest this fall in hopes that every community in America will embrace the CPR challenge.

The week of May 16 in the USA is declared by the US Congress to be national Police week.  A key event in Richmond’s Police week calendar is the annual memorial service which honors those that serve the city and those 28 officers who have fallen in the line of duty. 

RAA participated with 5 units in the Annual Richmond Christmas Parade.  It was cold, wet, and rainy but there were still lots of spectators along the parade route.  Thank you to Frank Romero, Toni Jones, Tiffany Thompson, Tamara Robinson, Ronnie Ruffin, Oneesha Jeffries, Patrice Scott, Alexander Maryland, Brian Talty, Dan Fellows and Wayne Morris for spending their Saturday morning sharing RAA with Richmond.  Along the parade route many of the spectators offered “thank you” for everything you do.  If you did not have the opportunity to watch the parade on Saturday, it will be shown again on CBS 6 on Christmas day.   A special thanks to the staff of both the fleet and resource departments.  The trucks were cleaned and buffed and looked fantastic, even through the rain!  And, thanks to Dan and JT for placing the bows and holiday décor on the trucks.  RAA is committed to supporting the community we serve!

Rolling Down Broad

RICHMOND, Va., December 16, 2009 — The Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA) today announced the completion of a major upgrade of its Communications Center.  The upgrade includes significant technological advancements to improve RAA’s day-to-day operations, interoperability with the Richmond Fire Department and county EMS agencies and a new ergonomically enhanced infrastructure.

 “The upgrade of the Richmond Ambulance Authority’s Communications Center and move to the regional 800 MHz radio system are important steps toward a more unified EMS system, both here in the City of Richmond and region wide,” said RAA’s CEO, Chip Decker.  “The Authority now has the ability to directly communicate – swiftly and efficiently – with other emergency responders in the event of a mass casualty incident.”

The regional radio system also enables Richmond Ambulance and Richmond Fire to talk directly to one another, unit to unit, during daily EMS operations without having to go through RAA’s Communication Center to relay patient information.   The City of Richmond donated 50 portable radios and 44 mobile radios to make this improved communication possible.  As a result, RAA can now also communicate directly with other localities such as Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico, all of whom are already on the regional radio system.  This upgrade also positions RAA for a smooth transition to the next generation of radio communications planned for 2013.

“The interoperability of the new radio system and upgraded Communications Center allows direct and clear radio communications between city and state emergency responders,” said Danny Garrison, Director of Communications for RAA.  “As a result, Richmond Ambulance can now take its place as a full partner in the region’s Emergency Response System.”

Additional improvements to the Communications Center include a new phone system and upgrades to various IT systems such as the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System, along with a new GEO mapping system.  The Mobile Area Routing & Vehicle Locating Information System (MARVLIS) is also being upgraded as part of the project.  MARVLIS provides demand analysis and management information for the Communications Officer while simultaneously providing routing and patient information for the crews on the street.

The old Communications Center’s infrastructure has been replaced with ergonomically designed work stations, including desks able to raise and lower allowing Communications Officers to stand for parts of their shift, reducing back fatigue.  In addition, the maximized use of flat screen technology has freed up more work space, and RAA has added two additional work stations able to be manned in the event of a major citywide or regional emergency situation.